You say right. I will sell my Carrera to move to an e90, but it will not be to improve handling! It's mostly to get some cash for a downpayment on a bigger house and to consolidate my automobile stable into one year-round performer that can seat four.

BMWs are incredible cars, but comparing them to a Porsche is really comparing apples to oranges. A Porsche car, even the lowliest boxster, will out-handle and completely out-drive a BMW car. (M cars inluded: they may out-accelerate a Porsche, but they can't out-drive it. It's in the way the cars are designed.) However, a Porsche seats two people and is a pure sports car: the BMW is a car that you can take the family and luggage on vacation with. They are VERY different in that way!!!

Drive safe.

(Note: Cayenne not included, since it is a truck. It will out-handle the BMW x5, but then look at the price tags... It will not out-handle a car. I digress.)

These sorts of discussions innevitably are impossbile to answer. I've owned a 944 which is legendary for it's balance and handling (despite the fact that Porsche purists frown upon the engine placement). I've also driven an M series BMW which I swore handled better than my 944. In the end, as much as this question is impossible to answer, it would at least be more interesting to narrow the discussion to specific models from the manufacturers in question.

You cannot compare Porsche to BMW. Porsche may be the most affordable pure sports car that you can look for aside from the c6. BMW may be more comfortable and practical under regular driving conditions but it will never compare to Porsches sports car feel unless its a M. But even some M's cannot compare.

the boxster is one of the best handling cars you can buy, for example it matches the carrera gt in slalom as on of the best slaloming cars you can buy at any price

You're absolutely right Ward; I meant 'lowliest boxster' in terms of it being at the bottom of the Porsche price range. As my post said, it will outdrive any BMW... because it IS a fantastic car! The only reason I bought a 911 over the Boxster was because I don't like ragtops. If I ever buy another Porsche, it will probably be the Cayman boxster coupe... I love my 911, but it can't compare to a Boxster's handling

I respect Porsche making the 911 with theoritically wrong engine placement one of the most successful race cars the same way I respect BMW achieving a 46/54 weight distribution with the front-engined E30 M3. Both marques are great at what they do.

The only head-to-head competition the 2 companies had was probably the 850CSi and 928 GTS of the 90's. Bring on the fight between the new M Coupe and Cayman S!

Playability: the BMWs win, by far(getting cars into/out of drifts/oversteer/trouble fun) Every BMW has DSC you can switch off. Every M BMW has a limited slip diff as standard. The Cayman and 997(S) don't

When the systems switched off in the Porkers they are switched on again when touching the brakes for instance(just the way to adjust the car into a bend)

Playability: the BMWs win, by far(getting cars into/out of drifts/oversteer/trouble fun) Every BMW has DSC you can switch off. Every M BMW has a limited slip diff as standard. The Cayman and 997(S) don't

When the systems switched off in the Porkers they are switched on again when touching the brakes for instance(just the way to adjust the car into a bend)

THAT SUCKS HEAVILY

keep in mind the porsches don't have a differential at all, they have a transaxle and they wouldn't be able to put all that power down without some limited slip device (probably just goes by a different name)

the porsche traction control does turn back on, IF you're way out of shape and on the brakes really if you're on the brakes hard while you're out of shape you're looking for help anyway

you'd need to also point out how the bmw traction control is much more active and noticable during agressive driving. The car slaps you on the wrist for aggressive driving. Porsche system is so good you almost don't have to turn it off

I've never had the pleasure of owning a porsche, but have driven a friends 98 carrera (model 993 Last of the air cooled engines)

Opinions - As nicely as my new and old BMWs handled, the Porsche is on another level in terms of road and steering feel.

#1 - Porsche feels like your ass is almost glued to the ground. Most likely due to ride hight, but also the suspension, wheels and overall dynamics

#2 - Porsche suspension settings are much harder. This is not a car to take the family to the grocery market.

#3 - Steering has a very direct feel, similar to BMW, but magnified

Lastly, the porsche sound is very distinct. On any other car, I think the sound would be cause to run to the mechanic to say WTF. Air cooled engine sounds very different at idle and is a dream when revved up.

Porsche is my dream car, but for the same money as the 997 S with some (not all) options, you could get a vette and a BMW e90

keep in mind the porsches don't have a differential at all, they have a transaxle and they wouldn't be able to put all that power down without some limited slip device (probably just goes by a different name)

the porsche traction control does turn back on, IF you're way out of shape and on the brakes really if you're on the brakes hard while you're out of shape you're looking for help anyway

you'd need to also point out how the bmw traction control is much more active and noticable during agressive driving. The car slaps you on the wrist for aggressive driving. Porsche system is so good you almost don't have to turn it off

Every car has a differential. Every car. Transaxle is the way where/how the gearbox is situated. Older 911s had the LSD as standard, the new ones including Boxsters dont

The way Porsche keeps it's safety by putting back on the safety system when enganging the brakes is just not nice. If you want to go fast or play with a car on a track/drift(which we do a lot) don't buy the newest Porsche or maybe wait for the Carrera RS/GT3 or Cayman RS which will cost $$$$$$$$$>